Hank Aaron, Legendary Baseball Player, Dead at 86
Posted by: Erin Ward in Notable Deaths | July 6, 2021
Hank Aaron
Baseball Player & Front Office Executive
February 5, 1934 – January 22, 2021
Legendary American baseball player, Hank Aaron, has sadly passed away at the age of 86. Aaron was considered by many baseball fans and analysts as one of the greatest players of all time. Aaron played a total of 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He also spent time playing in independent Negro Leagues and the MLB’s minor league system. As a big leaguer, Aaron set several batting records for hits and runs scored.
For 33 years, his 755 career homeruns were the most among any athlete to play in the MLB. Despite this record since being broken, he still holds the records for most RBIs (2297), most extra base hits (1477), and total bases (6856). He also sits in the top five for career hits (3771) and games played (3298).
Aaron had one of the most successful careers in league history. Due to his many accomplishments, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and ranked #5 by The Sporting News on their “100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time” list. In 1999, MLB introduced the Hank Aaron Award which is presented annually to recognize the top offensive player in the league.
Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama, and was one of eight children in his family. Growing up in a poor family, he couldn’t afford baseball equipment, so he practiced hitting bottle caps with sticks. At the age of 15, he got his first MLB tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Despite not making the team, he would go on to play with an independent Negro League team.
In 1952, he signed his first MLB contract with the Boston Braves. During his rookie season, he played in the minor leagues and won the Rookie of the Year award.
Finally, in 1954, Aaron was invited to his first MLB spring training by the Milwaukee Braves. On the final day of spring training, he made the pro team and was promoted from the minor league system. His first MLB game took place on April 13th, 1954. He would go on to play in the league from 1954-1973.
During his illustrious career, Aaron hit 24 or more homeruns in every season but his rookie one. He is also one of only two players to ever hit 30 or more homeruns in 15 seasons. A powerhouse at the plate, Aaron was beloved by his teammates for his offensive abilities on the diamond. In total, he played in 24 all-star games, won 3 gold gloves, 2 batting titles, was named league MVP, and won the World Series in 1957.
Following his playing career, he rejoined the Braves as an executive. During this time, he held several roles including Vice President & Director of Player Development. He was also instrumental in helping the MLB create programs to help get more minorities playing baseball.
Aaron was married twice during his lifetime and raised 6 children. He is survived by wife, children, and their families.
16 Comments
Danielo
October 1
Eating dinner surrounded by authentic First Nations art at Kihiw Restaurant was the highlight of my trip to North Battleford. My sister actually sent me casino gold eagle last week so I could check the menu and casino hours before driving down Yellowhead Highway. After finishing our steaks, we walked right onto the floor to test out a few of the 335 slot machines. You rarely find a venue in Canada that blends local culture, great hospitality, and modern gaming so effortlessly.
drive
July 20
If you are looking for a fun online driving game, drive mad is an excellent choice. The unique physics system and creative level design make every stage feel different. I always come back to this game because it’s both challenging and satisfying to play!
Babypupsik
December 21, 2025
I thought it might be just hype, but I was wrong. The visuals are engaging, the pace lively, and the overall vibe makes me want to stay longer. In the middle of my journey I discovered https://voltage-bet.com, and now it’s a regular part of my daily entertainment.
Andi
November 5, 2025
For fans of local games
Teen Patti and Andar Bahar are waiting for you! https://bc-game.web.pk/ Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a real casino at BC Game. We offer your favorite local games – Teen Patti and Andar Bahar – with live dealers. Everything is real, only more convenient. Play classic games in a new way
Elise Helen
July 10, 2025
It’s got the old-school graphics of Tecmo Bowl, but the strategic depth of a modern title Retro Bowl proves that less is sometimes more.
Elise Helen
July 10, 2025
It’s got the old-school graphics of Tecmo Bowl, but the strategic depth of a modern title Retro Bowl proves that less is sometimes more.
Henry
June 23, 2025
No matter how big or small the tree is in your backyard, our team of tauranga arborist professionals will securely, swiftly, and effectively remove it from your property.
Thomas Frank
May 21, 2025
If you think Jumping and Girl is cute, Wacky Flip will prove you wrong! Each level is a stunt that requires you to calculate the angle of rotation, the force of the jump, and the time of landing. One mistake and you'll be a meter off! Try this fun experiment and you'll keep your reflexes sharp.
Rahim Chaney
May 14, 2025
json path finder is perfect for exploring and querying complex API responses effortlessly.
Kvintov
February 3, 2025
Hey, when I need live scores and quick updates, I don’t waste time searching—I head straight to cricket betting site . The site is incredibly fast, and their mobile app gives instant notifications. Their short and crisp match reports are perfect for keeping up with multiple games at once, especially during hectic T20 tournaments.
Zazaestor
January 17, 2025
Hello friend! If you’re a high roller, slotoking casino is the best. They cater to big spenders with exclusive VIP tables, higher limits, and a personalized experience. Their high-stakes blackjack and baccarat tables are amazing, and they even offer bespoke bonuses for VIPs. I’ve been treated like royalty here, and the withdrawals are always smooth and quick.
abel1303
December 16, 2024
Improve your knowledge of world geography with Worldle game that challenges you to recognize countries based on their map shape.
Matrixas
December 3, 2024
Today, there are many different online casinos in Canada. After all, you can find interesting information on the website https://slotcasinocanada.ca/casino/tsars-casino/ which will tell you about the wide range of sites with the best bonuses, the most stylish design and the most convenient interface for you and your needs. Here you will find a game to your liking
rixy
November 30, 2024
Hi, if you like to play online then here you can find a game for yourself - thaitvonline.tv , if you are really interested in the game I can recommend you this unrivaled site dyal games where you can try to have fun and you will definitely succeed because it is a first-class gaming site on which n very nice to play!
Juanita H. Nelsen
November 24, 2024
I've been involved in soccer for a very long time. It was my hobby. When I played online games, I also always chose the theme of soccer. Recently we were at a match in the Philippines and there I heard about the game Mega Ball https://mega-ball-game.com/download/. When I went there and started to play a little bit, I was drawn in.
Aseneth L. Blackwell
January 26, 2021
Wow! What a player. I will be 80 this year and I remember his baseball career. My parents talked about his playing baseball career all the time. May he rest peacefully with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Aseneth Mays Blackwell